Dulux shines in the Year of the Monkey

KUALA LUMPUR, 14 January 2016 – Dulux, a quality brand from AkzoNobel, today celebrated the coming of the Chinese Lunar New Year with a media appreciation dinner, showcasing the ‘golden hour’ by identifying and connecting with the overall trend of looking both ways, through the usage of all the key trends for 2016 for the Year of the Monkey.

As a global colour authority, AkzoNobel underlines its commitment to the wealth of colour knowledge and deep understanding of the transformative power of colour, as the foundation of its identity in areas that present first signs of future colour movements.

Last October, Dulux Malaysia unveiled AkzoNobel’s Colour of the Year 2016, identified as ‘Monarch Gold’ as part of the company’s 13th annual colour trend guide. Gold, identified as the colour which connects with the overall trend of 2016: Looking both ways exemplifies the theme of duality for 2016 which makes the start to a promising Year of the Monkey.

Jeremy Rowe, Managing Director of AkzoNobel Decorative Paints, South East & South Asia, Middle East who said in his welcoming speech, “Gold and gold tones are being used everywhere in the design world. We have noticed it as a recurring colour and material at design fairs and in graphic design as well as in architecture, fashion, beauty and interior decorating. Identifying a colour palette that happens to be the auspicious colour for 2016 was a wonderful coincidence.”

With the overriding trends for 2016 featuring both the use of traditional and modern innovations showcasing the importance of opposite opinions has resulted in the use of the theme duality as the driving influence for the year. As seen in Chinese philosophy, yin and yang (also yin-yang “dark—bright”) also describes how opposite or contrary forces are actually complementary, interconnected, and interdependent in the natural world, and how they give rise to each other as they interrelate to one another. Opposites are seen in all the four Colour Futures 2016 trends – Heritage and Future, Dark and Light, The Grid and Letting Go and Words and Pictures.

“Colour reflects who we are and who we aspire to be. It’s expressive, fun, creative and always conversational. Colour is one of the most important elements in your home. At AkzoNobel, we pride ourselves on our ability to transform communities through the power of colour and supply the essential ingredients that make lives more liveable. Our brand promises at touching people’s everyday lives. In 2016, we want to focus on fusion of our past, our present and our future, we want to encourage ‘Looking both ways’ to complement the old and the new,” Mr. Rowe added.

Present during the event, Master Kenny Hoo, Feng Shui ambassador for Dulux Malaysia, who is also recognized worldwide as one of the renowned scholars who initially combined and formularized the traditional Feng Shui methodology with modern, scientific tools and technologies in his unique Geomantic research and studies shared inspirational Feng Shui tips.

Well versed with a strong knowledge on the use of colours to enhance personal Feng Shui, Master Kenny gave a presentation that highlighted and identified the use of Gold as the lucky colour for 2016. “GOLD sparkles with new positive Qi and abundance in 2016, which makes for a successful Year of the Fire Monkey.This year is the golden era with a more balanced Yin and Yang combination, making it easier for businesses to grow and expand. Good use of gold can also bring great success, wealth, achievements and triumph,” said Master Kenny Hoo.

“The main goal of Feng Shui is to help each space rediscover joy, beauty and balance. The use of colour is very important in Feng Shui because each colour is an expression of one of the five elements – wood, earth, fire, water, and metal. It can bring balance, harmony, and good energy to one’s space. Home trends is not just about the visual beauty, it is about creating good energy that is needed, and this is where a skilful use of colour brings enormous benefits – living in a space that has vibrant, healthy energy, and is nourishing for you and your relationships,” Master Kenny explained.

During the event, Master Kenny provided free one-to-one Feng Shui consultations. During these sessions, he analysed individual birth date and time to help each person understand the ways in which positive Qi can be introduced in their daily lives as well as how to apply the technique correctly by using simple and suitable colour combination which would help in achieving good and functional Feng Shui effects.

“Colour is one of the easiest ways to shift the energy in your home or office in order to create good Feng Shui. Everything around us is in constant flow and in constant change. At Dulux we are dedicated to inspire positivity and creativity, as well as to invite positive energies to occupy a space. With long standing working relationships with experts in areas other than colour, we are proud to be working with Feng Shui experts to take the use of colour to the next level, where each colour brings the desired Feng Shui energies to your home in order to create harmony and balance,” said Mr. Rowe.

Dulux has over 2,000 colours available for you to discover how you can transform your home to host the most memorable and inspiring ambience you desire this year. For more information on the Colour of the Year 2016 and Feng Shui tips, visit Dulux’s website at http://www.dulux.com.myor Dulux Malaysia Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/DuluxMalaysia.